Not all surgeons do the SSBOB procedure and those that do will not tell you that it is going to work 100% or that a revision might be needed in the future. Both my curves were over 70 with the lumbar being worse and deciding upon this particular I did not come lightly without research and prayer. I was blessed to have one of the pioneers that developed SSBOB as my doctor. But like I said, my main concern was the pain level prior to surgery. I would work 8 hours and then go home hurting bad, go straight to bed to escape the pain.
Recovery has been a process as with any surgery, the only difference is with SSBOB exercise, stretching, and the jacuzzi dips are encouraged by the doctor. My pain level has gone down tremendously since I have been using the jacuzzi 3-5 times a day. Heck, I actually climbed a ladder this week to get up in my attic and I wasn't ready to die after it. Is there still pain? Yes, but I am only pushing two months post op and the soft tissue in my stomache and the rib removal pain are starting to ease. I still have hip pain that goes down my left leg, but with that I have to think about how many years I let my nerves be compromised and releasing that pressure off of them is going to take time for them to relax. I compare it to shutting you thumb in a car door, it may feel good to get the door opened but your thumb is going to throb for some time as the nerves calm down.
I have had my doubts and wonder if I decided upon the right procedure especially during the top pain levels, but as things have started to ease I know I made the best decision for me. That is another thing you need to be careful with, in the end you have to make the best decision for you. Many will have an opinion, at least in my family they did but when it comes down to it you are the one that has to live in your body. My family, with the exception of my husband pressured me into picking the full fusion from T1- sacrum but I kept coming back to the SSBOB and am happy with my decision. If I need a revision down the road (which I pray I won't) I know that I am strong enough to handle what is thrown at me.
The first step is getting to know your surgeon and as my doctor said many times that you need to become friends with your doctor. Then research, talk to some of your doctors patients, people on the forum,read up on it all, and prayer.
If you have questions ask them. You may not always get the answer you want, but the more knowledge you gain the better.
Tamena
Recovery has been a process as with any surgery, the only difference is with SSBOB exercise, stretching, and the jacuzzi dips are encouraged by the doctor. My pain level has gone down tremendously since I have been using the jacuzzi 3-5 times a day. Heck, I actually climbed a ladder this week to get up in my attic and I wasn't ready to die after it. Is there still pain? Yes, but I am only pushing two months post op and the soft tissue in my stomache and the rib removal pain are starting to ease. I still have hip pain that goes down my left leg, but with that I have to think about how many years I let my nerves be compromised and releasing that pressure off of them is going to take time for them to relax. I compare it to shutting you thumb in a car door, it may feel good to get the door opened but your thumb is going to throb for some time as the nerves calm down.
I have had my doubts and wonder if I decided upon the right procedure especially during the top pain levels, but as things have started to ease I know I made the best decision for me. That is another thing you need to be careful with, in the end you have to make the best decision for you. Many will have an opinion, at least in my family they did but when it comes down to it you are the one that has to live in your body. My family, with the exception of my husband pressured me into picking the full fusion from T1- sacrum but I kept coming back to the SSBOB and am happy with my decision. If I need a revision down the road (which I pray I won't) I know that I am strong enough to handle what is thrown at me.
The first step is getting to know your surgeon and as my doctor said many times that you need to become friends with your doctor. Then research, talk to some of your doctors patients, people on the forum,read up on it all, and prayer.
If you have questions ask them. You may not always get the answer you want, but the more knowledge you gain the better.
Tamena
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